Succession Planting for Late Summer Crops
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Keep the harvest going with a thriving, joy-filled garden through fall.
🧡 A Note from My Garden Gate
By midsummer, my tomato plants are sun-fatigued, the lettuce is long gone to seed, and I’m eyeing every empty square in my raised beds like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
I used to think the garden started to slow down in July, but oh, how wrong I was. Succession planting—filling in spent spaces with new crops—turned my late summer garden into a second spring. I’ve since learned that some of the best harvests come after the heat wave, especially here in Zone 9 where our fall is just a long, golden extension of summer.
If your garden feels tired, don’t pull the plug just yet. Let me show you how to replant, refresh, and renew those beds so you can keep harvesting all the way to Thanksgiving.
🗓️ What is Succession Planting?
Succession planting is the secret sauce to squeezing more out of your garden space. Whether you’re filling in gaps from spring crops or rotating in faster-growing veggies, this method ensures your soil is never sitting idle.
It’s all about timing, balance, and knowing what works best in your zone. With just a bit of planning, you can enjoy a whole second season of fresh herbs, crisp cucumbers, and tender green beans—right when you thought the garden was winding down.
🌱 Late Summer Crops That Thrive (Especially in Zone 9)
Here are my go-to picks for a second wave of abundance:
| Crop | Days to Maturity | Best Planting Time | Why I Love It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Beans | 50–60 days | Late June–August | Fast, productive, and kid-friendly to grow |
| Zucchini | 45–60 days | July–early August | You’ll be swimming in it if you mulch and water well |
| Cucumbers | 50–70 days | Late June–July | Try lemon cucumbers for a twist |
| Okra | 60–70 days | July | Thrives in the heat; makes the best gumbo |
| Malabar Spinach | Ongoing | Any time | Climbs beautifully, tastes like mild chard |
| Basil | 30–45 days | Ongoing | Tuck into any open square or pot |
| Green Onions | 50–60 days | Any time | Cut-and-come-again favorite |
| Cherry Tomatoes | 60–75 days | Early July | Try “Sun Gold” or “Juliet” for a fast fall harvest |
| Pole Beans | 60–70 days | Early July | Train them vertically to save space |
| Collards | 60–80 days | Late July–August | Heat-hardy and improves with a touch of fall chill |
👉 These heat-loving seed collections are my favorite way to stay stocked without second-guessing timing or varieties.
✍️ My Late Summer Planting Routine
Here’s what a typical July garden refresh looks like at my place:
1. Harvest & Clear
Pull spent plants like peas, bolted greens, or anything struggling. Leave the roots in place if you can—microbes will thank you.
2. Top Dress with Compost
I use this organic compost blend every time I replant. It revives tired soil and gives seedlings a strong start. Add mulch after planting to keep roots cool.
3. Choose Your Crops Wisely
I lean on bush beans, basil, and greens early on, then tuck in cherry tomatoes and okra where there’s room.
4. Stagger Your Planting
Instead of sowing all your seeds at once, stagger plantings every 10–14 days. This way, your harvests are steady instead of overwhelming.
📝 Use my Succession Planting Planner PDF to track what you’re planting and where—because come September, you’ll forget what went in those back two squares.
🧺 Tools That Make a Difference
These are my must-haves for late summer planting success:
- Soil Thermometer: Helps you know when the ground’s ready (and not scorching).
- Shading Row Covers: Protect new seedlings from the harshest sun.
- Drip Irrigation Kit: Water deeply without baking your soil.
- Hori Hori Knife: For quick transplanting and gentle soil lifting.
- Compact Watering Wand: I love this one for reaching tucked-away squares.
All of these are linked in my Garden Tools I Actually Use page.
🔗 Helpful SSS Guides:
- How to Fertilize Tomatoes and Peppers in Summer
- Heat-Tolerant Greens for Summer Gardening
- How to Use Banana Peels in the Garden Without Attracting Critters
- Spring & Summer Daily Garden Routines
💌 Keep Growing With Me
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